Seat belts are often the part of the car that always gets taken for granted. When a person gets into an accident, they usually check for visible damage on the car’s exterior while nearly always ignoring the first line of protection. From paint jobs to alignments, people think of everything, but they don’t take enough care of these basic safety precautions.
Despite being generally damage-resistant, seat belts fail over time due to normal wear and tear. This is especially true if your car was involved in an accident, as it could also develop internal defects if left to rot. More often than not, the structural integrity of the seatbelt will likely be compromised without visible signs. That being said, you don’t always need to swap your existing seatbelt for a new one. You have to keep in mind that your seat belts should be regularly checked.
How often should I have my seatbelts inspected?
If your car just figured in a car collision, you should ensure that the technicians don’t miss the seat belts. Depending on the severity of the impact, your seat belt mechanisms may have incurred damage from their task of holding a body’s weight and keeping a passenger from hitting hard surfaces inside the car.
Even if you don’t figure in an accident, you should have your seatbelts inspected every six months or twice a year.
How do I know if I need to get a seat belt replacement?
Have the shop’s technicians check the seat belts for any sign of frayings, cuts, or tears. If the seatbelts look like they’re barely holding on together by sheer will, then you really should consider having them replaced immediately!
Ensure that the retaining bolts are all in place, as these keep you fastened to your seat. These are usually located along the floorboards, but these can also be attached via the rear side of your car seats. If you see any retaining bolts that have come loose, make sure to have them tightened by a technician. Have any missing bolts replaced as well!
The last thing to inspect is the buckles of your seatbelts. Check for signs of corrosion, cracks, and other visible signs of damage because they can prevent the buckle from properly latching. In the worst-case scenario, faulty buckle mechanisms can suddenly unlatch at the point of impact, endangering you or your passengers.
Where should I go for a seat belt repair?
If you survived an automobile collision, then you probably already know how crucial seatbelts are for your safety. This is why you shouldn’t try installing the seatbelts yourself, nor should you go to the first garage you see and hope everything goes well.
Whenever possible, go for a garage that specializes in seat belt repairs. Their technicians will have extensive knowledge of seatbelt designs across different car models, which means they will know what to check when servicing your car.
Conclusion
Sometimes, even garages forget to inspect car seatbelts. This is why, as a responsible driver and car owner, you’ll want to ask for the seat belt inspection yourself. If you need a seat belt replacement, go to a car seat belt repair shop near you to ensure that only professionals are working on your car.
Safety Restore is your best bet when it comes to car seat belt replacements. Our technicians will inspect, evaluate, and repair or replace your seat belts to ensure that you are always protected while on the road. Contact us today to learn more about our services!
